Ian Tolfree
InvestorPrincipal at Emerald Development Managers · CEO & Founder at TBT Pharma
Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area
Find your path to Ian
173 people in our graph share verified history with Ian — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Nicole GaudelliunlockedIan: together at Johns Hopkins University (2006–2013)
×4Ian: together at Columbia Technology Ventures
Ian: together at Columbia University
Ian: together at Johns Hopkins University
About
Principal at Emerald and a theoretical physicist turned commercialization generalist, holding a PhD from Johns Hopkins. Former manager of Johns Hopkins' FastForward incubator and founder/CEO of TBT Pharma; named an Executive in Residence at Columbia Technology Ventures in 2025.
CEO & Founder at TBT Pharma
Intro paths
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In turn, Ian can intro founders to TBT Pharma's investors below.
TBT Pharma's investors · 1
Experience
- Emerald Development Managers LPPrincipalcurrent2019 — present
- Columbia Technology VenturesExecutive in Residencecurrent2025 — present
- TBT PharmaCEOcurrent2016 — presentNew York City Metropolitan Area
- Latella Neuromuscular Training Systems, LLCAdvisory Board2017 — 2022New York City Metropolitan Area
- Dipole MaterialsMember Board of Directors2015 — 2022Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Vesta HealthEntrepreneur In Residence2018 — 2019Greater New York City Area
- Imogin/Tarsier OpticsCEO2016 — 2018Baltimore, Maryland
- Gemstone BiotherapeuticsDirector of Operations2015 — 2016Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Johns Hopkins UniversityFastForward Venture Manager2013 — 2015Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBusiness Analyst2012 — 2013Batlimore, MD
- BloominescenceChief Scientist2004 — 2014Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Institute for Physical SciencesScientist/Developer2011 — 2012Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Johns Hopkins UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow2009 — 2011
- Johns Hopkins UniversityResearch Assistant2002 — 2009
- Columbia UniversityLab Tech1999 — 2002
Skills & more
Mathematical Modeling34Physics37Research36Machine Learning27Natural Language Processing4Statistics15Science15Data Analysis14Biotechnology7Nanotechnology5Start-ups7Business Development3
+12 more
EntrepreneurshipLife SciencesBusiness StrategyStrategic PartnershipsProduct DevelopmentDermatologyResearch and Development (R&D)TheoryJavaMathematicaFortranR- Class II ForkLift
- Strength and Conditioning Specalist — NSCA
From Ian's professional profile.
Colleagues at Emerald Development Managers
Abbe Serphos
Operating Partner and Head of Communications at Emerald Development Managers
Beckie Cohen
Associate at Emerald Development Managers
Charles Collins
Partner at Emerald Development Managers
Cy Schroeder
Principal at Emerald Development Managers
Joshua Smith
Director, Investor Relations at Emerald Development Managers
Neil Cohen
Founder and Chairman at Emerald Development Managers
Stephen Case
Managing Director at Emerald Development Managers
Youssef Kheiralla
Associate at Emerald Development Managers
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Ian Tolfree?
- Principal at Emerald and a theoretical physicist turned commercialization generalist, holding a PhD from Johns Hopkins. Former manager of Johns Hopkins' FastForward incubator and founder/CEO of TBT Pharma; named an Executive in Residence at Columbia Technology Ventures in 2025.
- Where does Ian Tolfree work?
- Ian Tolfree is Principal at Emerald Development Managers and CEO & Founder at TBT Pharma.
- Where did Ian Tolfree go to school?
- Ian Tolfree studied at The Johns Hopkins University (Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Theoretical Physics); Columbia Engineering (Bachelor of Science - BS, Applied Physics).
Founder mafias
The Johns Hopkins University mafia171
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Dave JohnsonMaster's degreeFounded Dash BioC. Giovanni TraversoPhDFounded Teal Bio +4Paul GrossingerBachelor of ArtsFounded Gaingels +3Christoph LengauerPostdocFounded Celsius Therapeutics +3Anne OsdoitMaster of Science (MS)Founded Moon Surgical +2Andrew LevyBachelor of Science (B.S.)Founded Apteligent +2
+ 164 more
Columbia Engineering mafia46
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Rodolphe ArdantMSFounded SpendeskMoawia EldeebBachelor of Science (B.S.)Founded Tempo Interactive +2Robert BrennanBachelor of ScienceFounded All Hands AI +1Kingsley R. ChinBachelor of Science (BSc)Founded IndependentmedexpertJavier MataBachelor of ScienceFounded YaloSharad SanghiMSFounded Neysa
+ 39 more
Same school
Also attended The Johns Hopkins University442
Dave JohnsonCo-founder & CEO of Dash BioNicole GaudelliEntrepreneur in Residence at GV (Google Ventures)Wes NicholsPartner at March Capital PartnersDemi ObayomiPrincipal at Sapphire VenturesJun JeonInvestor at Khosla VenturesNicole FraenkelInvestor at Khosla Ventures
+ 436 more
Also attended Columbia Engineering86
Rodolphe ArdantFounder & President of SpendeskPeter ParkerManaging General Partner at Mission BiocapitalLaszlo CzirjakManaging Partner at Interactive Venture Partners LlcKerry WuAssociate VP, Research & Partnerships at The Westly GroupTyler LancasterPartner — Co-Head of Ventures at Energize VenturesRemi SaidGeneral Partner at Partech Ventures
+ 80 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Columbia Technology Ventures26
Matthew McCooeChief Executive Officer at Connecticut InnovationsTristan HuntPartner at Averin CapitalKristina VulganCo-Founder & Managing Partner at Ferocity CapitalPaula SchultheissSenior Associate at AN Venture PartnersLyla YoussefAssociate at SR One Capital ManagementNeha AgarwalSenior Advisor at Adjuvant Capital
+ 20 more
Also worked at Gemstone Biotherapeutics1
Also worked at Johns Hopkins University110
Nicole GaudelliEntrepreneur in Residence at GV (Google Ventures)Jun JeonInvestor at Khosla VenturesLindsay MontiGeneral Counsel and CCO at JMI EquityLinda CuretonBoard Member at Maryland TEDCOPaula AndreuInvestor at KfundAagam ShahPrincipal at Sands Capital Ventures
+ 104 more
Also worked at Columbia University301
Reid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockRon ZoriVenture Partner at Lerer HippeauRalph DeBernardoPartner, Investor Relations at Sapphire VenturesRichard ChesworthInvestor at Third Rock VenturesJesse Coors-BlankenshipCo-founder, General Partner at Parkway Venture CapitalLauren YoungHead of Platform at AlleyCorp
+ 295 more